Robbinsville – Slight alterations are present in the budget adopted by the Graham County Board of Commissioners on Monday.
Notable changes from the draft ordinance presented on May 20 include:
* An operating budget of $25,491,490 (an increase of $38,289), thanks to an expected gain in restricted revenues and grants;
* Public safety was decreased $242,387, but remains the largest expenditure on the books ($6,734,576, or 28.39%);
* General government expenditures is now projected to be $6,603,064 (27.83%; up $213,447 from one month ago);
* Health and human services expenditures saw a minor uptick to $5,131,235 (up $28,940);
* Funding toward the Graham County Sheriff’s Office decreased ($2,165,805, down $118,035) and the detention center ($1,416,098, a loss of $124,352), but the office is budgeted $85,312 in restricted/grant funds.
A public hearing held during the June 17 regular meeting drew no feedback.
Other news & notes
* A pair of grants were announced at the June 17 meeting: $20,000 from a recreation youth sports grant, as well as $18,288,97 from the N.C. Department of Military & Veterans Affairs.
* Trinity Cooper was appointed to serve a four-year term as deputy tax collector June 17;
* The board voted 5-0 on Monday to enter into a mutual aid agreement with Pamlico County, to provide backup emergency communications in the event that Pamlico’s immediate secondary answering point – Craven County – finds itself incapacitated for longer than one hour. Both Pamlico and Craven counties are on the coastal portion of North Carolina.
Next week: County, town working on settlement regarding past-due bill. Plus, an update on the planned fitness center.